Former WWE Champion to make AEW return as a heel and cost Bryan Danielson at All In? Exploring the chances
Bryan Danielson is heading to AEW All In 2024 to challenge Swerve Strickland for the All Elite Wrestling World Championship next month. Although fans are keen to witness The American Dragon finally raise the world title in the Jacksonville-based company, a former WWE Champion could make his return to the promotion as a heel and cost Danielson his moment of triumph at Wembley Stadium. The star in question is none other than Jon Moxley.
The Purveyor of Violence has a storied history with Bryan Danielson in the pro wrestling business, having faced each other on the independent circuit before both men found themselves in WWE, where their rivalry continued. However, Moxley departed the sports entertainment juggernaut in 2019 to join AEW and became a multi-time world champion in the Tony Khan-led promotion. Danielson himself went All Elite in 2021 and reunited with Moxley in 2022.
The duo wrestled each other at Revolution 2022 and thereafter went on to form The Blackpool Combat Club under the leadership of their mentor, William Regal. The BCC has since added Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli to its ranks, and is one of the top stables of AEW, all of whose members have held championships in the promotion (and its sister promotion, ROH) except for Danielson.
The Washington native looks to correct this fact by winning the AEW World Title at All In 2024 - a title shot he earned by winning the 2024 Owen Hart Cup. On the other hand, Jon Moxley suffered a major loss in his latest bout as he was dethroned by Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2024.
The Ace of the World has been on a hiatus since then, and according to a recent report, has been given some time off by the company. While fans are eager for Moxley's return to All Elite Wrestling programming, the latter could make his comeback by shockingly turning on his ally, Bryan Danielson.
The 43-year-old veteran recently confirmed that his contract with All Elite Wrestling will expire this week. As such, fans have been speculating on the likelihood of Danielson dethroning Swerve Strickland for the world title, especially considering that he intends to finish his full-time career this year.
The situation could potentially lead to a massive heel turn for Moxley, who could spoil Danielson's last shot at championship glory at All In 2024 and rekindle their rivalry, emerging as a top heel in the process as well. The former WWE Champion could also possibly serve as Danielson's last opponent for the latter's final full-time run in a blockbuster collision.
AEW World Champ Swerve Strickland heaped praise on Bryan Danielson
Ahead of their imminent encounter at All In 2024, AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland voiced his respect for his challenger, Bryan Danielson.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, The New Flavour praised the latter as "the greatest of all time." However, Swerve also issued a warning to the former WWE Champion, claiming the latter had never faced an opponent like him.
It remains to be seen which of the two men will emerge victorious at Wembley Stadium.